Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Milwaukee, WI

CALL 414-289-0909 TO TALK TO OUR LAWYERS

Milwaukee was built on motorcycle tradition. In fact, two wheels and the rich Wisconsin summer air are things that make our area a great place to live.

And for those of us who enjoy riding, drivers who do not respect the rights of motorcyclists pose a real risk. Motorcyclists are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to protection on the roads. While a motorcycle driver may wear protective gear like helmets and jackets, it can’t always bear the brunt of an impact if there is a collision with a large vehicle.

This is why it’s important for motorcycle operators to know their rights and to follow common safety practices when riding. Domnitz & Domnitz are proud to be Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers serving the many motorcyclists in Southeast Wisconsin.

To help keep you safe and informed, we’ve gathered some great motorcycle crash information for you. We hope it helps you understand your rights, your responsibilities, and your options if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash.

If you have been in a wreck in the Milwaukee-area and need to talk with motorcycle accident lawyers ASAP, please pick up your phone and call 414-289-0909 or fill out our online form and we will get back to you to schedule a Free Legal Consultation. You will meet with Ric or Noah Domnitz, not a paralegal or assistant, to get the best assistance from the start.

Causes of a Motorcycle Crash

Unfortunately, if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the reason is likely negligence on the part of one of the drivers involved. The most common causes of motorcycle crashes that we see are:

Failure to “see” a motorcycle on the road

Making an illegal left-hand turn at an intersection

Violating a motorcycle’s right of way

Merging into another lane without looking

Failing to signal at on-ramps and off-ramps

Texting while driving (and other forms of distracted driving)

Failing to look before turning into traffic

Speeding (and other forms of reckless driving)

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

In each of these examples, a violation of a motor vehicle’s obligation to drive safely and to properly share the road is violated. It’s important to remember that if you were hit on your motorcycle due to the negligence of another, you have rights, including the right to seek fair compensation for your injuries. Quality motorcycle accident lawyers in your local area who care about you are the answer – like Domnitz & Domnitz.

When Motorcycle Accidents Peak

Spring

There tends to be a rise in collisions in the spring when the temperature starts to warm. This could be because of a number of reasons. For instance, there are more riders on the road, many riders are back on the road after not riding for months, and leftover salt on the roads can create a debris hazard.

Summer

Accident rates often peak in the summer, when the most drivers are on the road. Low gas prices and great weather mean more vehicles on the road, which inevitably means more crashes.

Fall

Even though there are often fewer vehicles on the road during this time of year, fall offers its own challenges for motorcyclists. In fact, collisions with deer and other wild animals (such as wolves and turkeys) is more common than you might think.

Types of Injuries Common to Motorcyclists

Because motorcycles provide far less physical protection to their drivers than other vehicles, motorcycle crashes often result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. In fact, depending on how well equipped the driver is and how serious the accident is, someone involved in a motorcycle accident can suffer anything from a few scratches to a severed spinal cord.

Here are some of the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents:

Broken Bones & Fractures

Although often considered a common and less severe injury, broken bones and fractures can result in significant pain, disfigurement, time lost from work, and even nerve damage.

Soft Tissue Damage

Soft tissue injuries are injuries to the body’s soft tissues: the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Symptoms include pain, discoloration (bruising), swelling, redness, and feeling hot to the touch. Due to the short-term nature of bruises, getting photographic evidence of bruising and swelling is often recommended.

Whiplash Injuries

Whiplash is a very common type of neck injury suffered during motorcycle crashes. It is a result of the sudden and acute distortion of the neck during an accident. Symptoms include pain to the neck, back, and shoulders. And, although symptoms may appear immediately after an accident, they often can take days or weeks to manifest.

Head Trauma (Traumatic Brain Injuries)

Due to the exposed nature of the driver, head injuries are extremely common in motorcycle accidents. Depending on the nature of the crash and whether the rider is wearing a DOT-sanctioned helmet, injuries can range from lacerations on the face to traumatic brain damage.

Spinal Cord Damage

Unfortunately, spinal injury is very common in motorcycle crashes, and it can have permanent and devastating consequences for the injured motorcyclist. Spinal injuries can result in paralysis (such as quadriplegia and paraplegia), loss of sensory function, loss of motor function, osteoporosis, sexual dysfunction, loss of bowel movement control, respiratory problems, and more.

Nerve Damage

Following an accident, many motorcyclists will experience a loss of sensory or nerve response to an area of the body or an entire limb. A common type of nerve damage for motorcyclists is biker’s arm, where the arm used to protect oneself during an accident suffers sensory issues or even paralysis. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, pain, tingling or prickling sensations, increased sensitivity, and burning sensations.

Road Rash & Burns

Road rash — skin injury caused by abrasion with the road — is relatively minor compared to other common injuries but, like burns, can still cause significant pain and possible disfigurement. Wearing appropriate protective gear (such as thick gloves, boots, and protective clothing) can help protect a driver’s body, arms, and legs from these types of injuries.

Scarring

Unfortunately, being left with visible and severe scars to the face and body are extremely common following a motorcycle crash, even if no other permanent injuries have been sustained. Scarring can result as a direct result of an accident or as a result of the medical treatment needed following the crash. And, while it is easy to think that someone who suffers “only” from scarring is “getting off easy,” scars are disfiguring injuries that can permanent affect one’s relationships and quality of life.

Injuries Resulting in Amputation

Like permanent paralysis, amputation of a limb is one of the most devastating injuries a motorcyclist can suffer. Often the result of a crush injury that makes amputation necessary, limb amputation often places heavy physical, emotional, and financial burdens on the victim.

Severe Lacerations

Deep cuts, piercing wounds, and lacerations are common in bike crashes, and each one can result in scars, the risk of infection, and even nerve damage.

Joint Damage & Loss of Movement

The blunt force of an accident often causes damage to the ligaments around joints, most commonly knees and thumbs. Symptoms of damaged ligaments and joints include pain, loss of mobility, swelling, and joint instability.

No matter the severity of your injury, or the damage to your bike – local, caring, and qualified motorcycle accident lawyers like Ric & Noah Domnitz can help you get justice.

Safety Tips for Riders

Check Your Equipment

It is important that every motorcycle on the road meets minimum equipment requirements. This helps protect the rider from being in an accident and from causing one.

Before taking your bike for a spin, check to make sure the following equipment meets the minimum standards:

Headlight

Tail light

Brake light

Muffler

Horn

Brake

Rear view mirror

Handlebars

Take Safety Classes

One of the best ways a motorcyclist can prevent an accident is by making sure he or she is well trained on how to properly operate a motorcycle. Safety and riding classes can often be found via local technical colleges, the state DMV, and private organizations. See our Wisconsin Motorcycle Training section below for more info!

Heavy-duty (such as leather or heavy denim) long-sleeve jacket and long pants

Over-the-ankle boots

Full fingered leather gloves

Eye protection (such as a face shield, goggles, or glasses)

Drive Responsibly

Whether you’re driving a car or a motorcycle, the best way that you can protect yourself is to drive responsibly and avoid needing motorcycle accident lawyers at all. This means:

Obey the law.

Be alert and aware.

Stay out of blind spots.

Don’t drive erratically or weave through traffic.

Check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.

Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

How to Drive a Car Around Motorcycles

Motorcycles pose special risks for other drivers on the road. You can decrease the likelihood of being in an accident with a motorcycle by:

Leaving extra room between your vehicle and any motorcycle around you, especially in slippery conditions.

Checking your blind spots regularly, and always before making a lane change or turn.

Making a point to look for motorcycles, especially at intersections.

Being aware that a motorcycle’s small size can make it harder to track and appear to be farther away than it really is.

If you’re driving a car in Milwaukee, please follow the above tips to safely share the road with riders, and avoid a call from motorcycle accident lawyers!

Wisconsin Motorcycle Training

When it comes to avoiding being in an accident with a motorcycle, the importance of training and experience cannot be understated. Luckily, Wisconsin offers a bevy of training options for riders who want to improve their skills. For instance:

Most states have private motorcycle safety schools that offer training for new and experienced riders hoping to improve their skills.

Some motorcycle manufacturers offer safety and riding courses through their dealerships.

How Age & Experience Affect Rider Accident Rates

Statistics show that older, re-entry riders and new, inexperienced riders both face unique risks. For instance:

Younger, inexperienced riders are more likely to get in collisions. In fact, safety studies show that the most dangerous time for bikers is the first month of their first year.

An older motorcyclist is far more likely to be seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, riders aged 50 years and older made up 35% of all motorcycle fatalities in 2015.

How Milwaukee Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, having qualified motorcycle accident lawyers on your side can make the difference between recovering fair injury compensation for your losses and being saddled with huge medical bills and significant property damages.

Good motorcycle accident lawyers can help you achieve the best outcome for your case by:

Providing a comprehensive understanding of Wisconsin and Illinois insurance liability statutes and personal injury law

Accurately assessing your unique liability situation

Tapping a network of engineering and medical consultants to help investigate your motorcycle crash case

Dealing directly with the insurance companies involved so that you don’t have to

Knowing the maneuvers insurance companies may use in an attempt to minimize or dispute your motorcycle claim

Helping you recover maximum compensation based on the law, not on the deceptive practices of the insurance company

We can help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free initial consultation with Milwaukee motorcycle accident lawyers, contact Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. We have the resources to provide top-notch representation in a wide variety of legal issues.

Contact Us

Talk to An Actual Attorney

The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. Close